Travelling within, into and out of Croatia, as of August 17, 2021

COVID-19-related travel and movement restrictions are still in place in Croatia. Read on to find the latest travel information as of August 17, 2021. For exact details on travelling to and from Croatia, or anywhere, always check directly with airlines, transport providers, and official government authorities.

EU and UK categorisation of Croatia

At the time of writing, Croatia is part green, part yellow on the ECDC's map showing EU travel recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

All of Croatia is on the UK's green list at this time.

Travelling to Croatia: Government regulations for ENTERING Croatia

Croatian government site Koronavirus.hr gives the latest update for entering the country:

The Civil Protection Headquarters of the Republic of Croatia has made a decision on a temporary ban and restriction of crossing the border of the Republic of Croatia. This decision entered into force on August 14, and is in place through August 31, 2021.

Below is information on the conditions of entry into the Republic of Croatia, with regard to temporary bans and restrictions in force due to the control of the spread of COVID-19.

If you do not find the answer to your question, contact the Border Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior via the web form on this page or ask for information from the police officer at the border crossing through which you intend to travel.

Note: All passengers in transit, including staff in the transport sector, have to self-isolate if they do not leave the Republic of Croatia within 12 hours of entering the country.

Passengers travelling to the Republic of Croatia from one of the EU/EEA Member States

Passengers coming directly from the countries and/or regions of the European Union, or the countries and/or regions of the Schengen Area, regardless of citizenship, will be allowed to enter the Republic of Croatia if they have a valid EU digital COVID certificate.

If these persons transited through other countries/regions without delay during the journey to the border crossings of the Republic of Croatia, they will have to prove at the border crossing that they did not stay in the transit areas.

 
Exceptionally, passengers coming directly from the countries and/or regions of the European Union or the countries and/or regions of the Schengen Area, and do not yet have an EU digital COVID certificate, will be allowed to enter the Republic of Croatia with: 

• negative PCR test or rapid antigen test - RAT on SARS-CoV-2, where the RAT test must be from the Common list of rapid antigen tests mutually recognized by the Member States of the European Union, published by the European Commission. When finding a RAT test made abroad, the test manufacturer and/or the commercial name of the test must be visible. Otherwise, the test will not be accepted as credible for entry into the Republic of Croatia. The result of the PCR test must not be older than 72 hours, and the RAT test 48 hours from the moment of testing until the arrival at the border crossing. 
• confirmation not older than 270 days of receipt of two doses of vaccine used in EU Member States (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Gamaleya, Sinopharm) or presentation of a certificate not older than 270 days of receipt of one dose of vaccine received in one dose (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson) if 14 days have passed since receiving the vaccine;
• confirmation of overcoming COVID-19 and receiving a single dose of vaccine within six months of the onset of the disease, provided that vaccination must be carried out less than 270 days before arrival at the border crossing; 
• confirmation of receipt of the first dose of Pfizer, Moderna or Gamaleya, with which it is possible to enter the Republic of Croatia in the period from 22 to 42 days from the receipt of the vaccine, or from 22 to 84 days from the first dose of AstraZeneca;
• presentation of a positive PCR or rapid antigen test, confirming that the owner has recovered from SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, not older than 270 days, but older than 11 days from the date of arrival at the border crossing or presentation of a medical certificate about the patient;
• or perform PCR testing or rapid antigen testing - RAT on SARS-CoV-2 immediately upon arrival in the Republic of Croatia (at their own expense), with the obligation of self-isolation until the arrival of a negative finding. In case of impossibility of testing, a measure of self-isolation is required for a period of ten (10) days.

Exceptions might apply.

Check whether you meet the conditions for exemption from the application of this Decision via the UZG-COVID website, by contacting the authorities, or at the border crossing itself.  

Citizens of EU/EEA Member States as well as members of their families travelling to the Republic of Croatia from third countries

Citizens of EU Member States (including Croatian citizens), and Schengen Member States, as well as members of their families and third-country nationals who are long-term residents coming from third countries must present a valid EU digital COVID certificate when entering the Republic of Croatia.

Exceptionally, the aforementioned passengers who do not yet have an EU digital COVID certificate will be allowed to enter the Republic of Croatia with:

• negative PCR test or rapid antigen test - RAT on SARS-CoV-2, where the RAT test must be from the Common list of rapid antigen tests mutually recognized by the Member States of the European Union, published by the European Commission. When finding a RAT test made abroad, the test manufacturer and/or the commercial name of the test must be visible. Otherwise, the test will not be accepted as credible for entry into the Republic of Croatia. The result of the PCR test must not be older than 72 hours, and the RAT test 48 hours from the moment of testing until the arrival at the border crossing. 
• confirmation not older than 270 days of receipt of two doses of vaccine used in EU Member States (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Gamaleya, Sinopharm) or presentation of a certificate not older than 270 days of receipt of one dose of vaccine received in one dose (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson) if 14 days have passed since receiving the vaccine;
• confirmation of overcoming COVID-19 and receiving a single dose of vaccine within six months of the onset of the disease, provided that vaccination must be carried out less than 270 days before arrival at the border crossing; 
• confirmation of receipt of the first dose of Pfizer, Moderna or Gamaleya, with which it is possible to enter the Republic of Croatia in the period from 22 to 42 days from the receipt of the vaccine, or from 22 to 84 days from the first dose of AstraZeneca;
• presentation of a positive PCR or rapid antigen test, confirming that the owner has recovered from SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, not older than 270 days, but older than 11 days from the date of arrival at the border crossing or presentation of a medical certificate about the patient;
• or perform PCR testing or rapid antigen testing - RAT on SARS-CoV-2 immediately upon arrival in the Republic of Croatia (at their own expense), with the obligation of self-isolation until the arrival of a negative finding. In case of impossibility of testing, a measure of self-isolation is required for a period of ten (10) days.

Exceptions might apply.

Third country nationals 

Third-country nationals who are not family members of nationals of Schengen Member States, nor are they long-term residents, shall be granted entry into the Republic of Croatia only in case of emergency travel. 

Exceptions related to the above necessary trips are: 

1. health professionals, health researchers and care workers for the elderly;
2. border workers (as well as, for example, athletes);
3. staff in the transport sector;
4. diplomats, staff of international organizations and persons receiving invites from international organizations and whose physical presence is necessary for the proper functioning of those organizations, military and police personnel, humanitarian workers and civil protection personnel in the performance of their duties;
5. passengers in transit, with the obligation to leave the Republic of Croatia within 12 hours of entry;
6. persons travelling for schooling;
7. seafarers; if they intend to stay in the Republic of Croatia for more than 12 hours, entry into the Republic of Croatia will be provided upon presentation of:

• [See requirements above]

• [See requirements above]

• [See requirements above

Passengers who represent one of the previously mentioned exceptions are obliged to present credible documentation upon entering the Republic of Croatia in order to prove the reasons for exemption from the obligation to possess one of the above tests.

Passengers from countries included in the list of countries of the Croatian Institute of Public Health to which special epidemiological measures are applied when crossing the border of the Republic of Croatia - depending on the category of country - are required to:

• present a negative PCR test result not older than 48 hours and be assigned the necessary measure of mandatory self-isolation for 14 days, or
• present a negative PCR test result not older than 72 hours or a negative rapid antigen test result not older than 48 hours, regardless of vaccination status and overcoming.

Children under the age of twelve accompanied by a parent/guardian are exempted from presenting a negative test result or self-isolation if the parents/guardians are negative in PCR or rapid antigen-RAT tests, or have a certificate of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19. 

During their stay in the Republic of Croatia, all passengers, regardless of the category and country they come from, are obliged to adhere to the general and special recommendations and instructions of the Croatian Institute of Public Health.

 

Events and venues: Croatian government regulations WITHIN Croatia

On 18 June 2021, the Civil Protection Headquarters of the Republic of Croatia issued a Decision on necessary epidemiological measures restricting gatherings and introducing other necessary epidemiological measures and recommendations to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. These epidemiological measures entered into force on 14 August and are in place until 31 August 2021. 

Considering the epidemiological situation and possible transmission of COVID-19 disease, all persons in the Republic of Croatia are obliged to adhere to strict physical distancing measures, all prescribed anti-epidemic measures, special recommendations and instructions of the Croatian Institute of Public Health and necessary epidemiological measures prescribed by this Decision.

The necessary epidemiological measures required by this decision are:

• 1. The introduced measure of physical distancing requires avoiding close personal contact at a distance of at least 2 metres indoors and 1.5 metres outdoors. If it is impossible to maintain a physical distance of at least 2 metres indoors and 1.5 meters outdoors, it is mandatory to use face masks or medical masks.
  
  2. Children under the age of twelve who come to gatherings or events that only allow people holding an EU digital COVID certificate - and their parents/guardians hold EU digital COVID certificates - are exempted from the obligation to have an EU digital COVID certificate. 
  
  2. Further necessary epidemiological measures put in place by this decision are:

  • ban on holding all public events and gatherings attended by more than 100 people in one place, unless it is a public event or gathering attended only by persons with an EU digital COVID certificate, and unless the competent local civil protection headquarters approved it;
  • public events and gatherings and ceremonies of all kinds may last up to midnight, unless it is a public event or gathering attended only by persons with an EU digital COVID certificate, and unless the competent local civil protection headquarters approved it;
  • at funerals and wakes, condolences to the bereaved must not be expressed in close contact, and cemetery administrations are obliged to monitor compliance with anti-epidemic measures;
  • limitation of working hours for bakeries and shops for bread and bakery products up to midnight;
  • ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages between midnight and 6 AM;
  • restricting the operation of food and beverage areas in such a way that food, drink, beverages and sweets can be served in the outdoor service area and only to guests sitting at tables, in strict compliance with prescribed epidemiological measures, recommendations, and instructions from Croatian Institute of Public Health; working hours can be from 6 AM to midnight;
  • exceptionally, facilities such as nightclubs and bars are allowed to work and serve all guests without working hours, but only in open spaces and provided that the entrance to their premises is permitted only to persons holding an EU digital COVID certificate (guests, staff, contractors, etc.).
  • holding private ceremonies and gatherings of all kinds (including wedding ceremonies) is allowed in compliance with all prescribed epidemiological measures, if more than 30 people do not attend the ceremony;
    • It is exceptionally allowed to hold wedding ceremonies with more than 30 people, under certain circumstances, and if all persons who will be present at the wedding ceremony have an EU digital COVID certificate;
  • the working hours of casinos, club vending machines and payment points for betting may be from 8 AM to midnight, with a ban on catering services in their premises;
  • strict adherence to anti-epidemic measures in gyms and fitness centres;
  • strict adherence to anti-epidemic measures when holding workshops, children's playrooms, and anywhere providing entertainment and recreational services indoors (birthday parties, amusement and family parks, etc.);
  • suspension of all amateur cultural and artistic performances, programs, and events indoors;
  • suspension of fairs and other forms of economic and tourist events where products are sold, exhibited or displayed indoors;
  • mandatory use of face masks or medical masks at fairs and other forms of economic and tourist events or events where products are sold, exhibited or displayed in open spaces;
  • conferences and congresses attended by up to 100 people may be held in compliance with all prescribed epidemiological measures, recommendations, and instructions of the Croatian Institute of Public Health;
  • sports competitions and trainings can be held only without spectators and with strict adherence to all prescribed epidemiological measures, special recommendations, and instructions of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, and the organisers are obliged to ensure that all athletes and necessary technical staff adhere to prescribed epidemiological measures;
    • It is exceptionally allowed to hold sports events with more than 30 people, under certain circumstances, and if all persons who will be present at the sports event have an EU digital COVID certificate;
  • foreign language schools are obliged to perform their activities in strict compliance with the prescribed epidemiological measures;
  • and more.

  * Anti-epidemic measures do not apply to :

  • professional artistic performances and programs require tickets;
  • film screenings;
  • exhibitions in museums, galleries, and other exhibition spaces;
  • religious ceremonies;
  • sessions of government representative bodies."